SWIMMING: Knisely Done

Learning how to swim can be a daunting and horrifying task for young kids. After all, they are facing a pool full of water that's much bigger than themselves.

Jordan Honeycutt, Sun Journal Staff

Learning how to swim can be a daunting and horrifying task for young kids. After all, they are facing a pool full of water that's much bigger than themselves.

At New Bern's Courts Plus, a special lady who teaches local kids to swim eases most of their fears.

Pat Knisely has her own unique methodology of teaching and interacting with kids, that has earned her the moniker simply of “Mrs. Pat.”

She has been battling Multiple Sclerosis (MS) since her diagnosis in 1990, but has never stopped getting in the pool and making learning to swim a joy.

“I’ve honestly never really thought of doing anything else, before or after my diagnosis of MS, it is a part of who I am,” Knisely said.

Knisely admits that like anyone who is battling hardships or a disease, she has her rough times when it gets to her a little bit.

She wears a vest packed with ice that is geared toward keeping her body temperature down, in addition to being in a wheelchair, except when she is in the pool of course.

As if MS wasn’t enough, Knisely’s husband, Jim, has been diagnosed with terminal Pancreatic Cancer, however, Knisely has never played the victim.

“I allow myself 33-minute pity parties each day,” Knisely said. “I set a timer and have myself a good cry or whatever and then when the timer goes off, I put on my ‘Mrs. Pat’ face and go on about my day.”

What gets Knisely through and keeps her coming to Courts Plus every Monday through Thursday morning is what always has – the kids.

Knisely has her own requirements of the kids and their parents when they attend her swim class.

“I make sure that the parents do not hang around while I am teaching because kids listen better when their parents are not around,” Knisely said. “I hold them all to the very same standard. Kids will not do what you expect of them unless they are absolutely sure of what that is.”

Through her years of teaching, Knisely said she has taught thousands of kids to swim, all the way back to when she started at River Bend.

Knisely said she made the move to Courts Plus so that the lesser-privileged kids could also learn to swim, due to Courts Plus not having membership fees.

“Most other coaches know more about swimming in their little fingers than I will ever know,” Knisely said. “What I do have though, is that the children genuinely know that I like them and I care about them. Kids are a lot like animals, in the sense that the same way a dog or cat knows if someone is a dog or cat person, kids know if you like them or not.”

Knisely’s swim teams over the years have aided numerous families in the community that could not afford to help themselves.

On one occasion, the team took up a collection of socks to give to those who were less-fortunate and took clothing to Maysville Elementary to pass out to the kids.

Community projects like those are also required of those taking “Mrs. Pat’s” classes.

“I pride myself on running a no-nonsense program and the kids know that too. I am always very loud and demonstrative,” Knisely said. “In addition to teaching them nice, smooth swimming strokes, I teach them that we are a family and how to treat those around them.”

Knisely’s team have had shirts made with SABon the front, which stands for Swimmers Against Bullying.

With bullying now being brought to the forefront across the country, Knisely said the solution is amongst the kids.

“If a bully wants to get a hold of a kid, they will find a way to do it,” Knisely said. “Parents and teachers can do so much, but if the kids hold each other to a higher standard and take responsibility for it themselves, then it will do more. I tell my kids that if they see someone being bullied to take them in and invite them to come and sit at their table or pick them to be on their team first instead of last.”

Knisely has blended in almost every kind of kid imaginable into her program. She has had overweight children, three autistic children and two with Down’s Syndrome.

Whether it is challenges with the kids, MS, or her husband dying of cancer, Pat Knisely will not be bullied or kept away from the pool.

Jordan Honeycutt can be reached at 252-635-5670 or at Jordan.Honeycutt@newbernsj.com Follow Jordan on Twitter @JHONEYnbsj29.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Advertising

News

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
New Bern Sun Journal ~ 3200 Wellons Blvd., New Bern, NC 28562 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service